Face Your Fear Of Objection, Part 1

Find out why it doesn't have to be over when your prospect says no.

---Shares

September 29, 2000

Objections are what stop a sale. Period. You ask a prospect
whether he or she wants to buy your product, and the prospect says
it's too expensive. That makes sense to you, so the meeting is
over, right?

Wrong. Instead, when someone objects, listen carefully. Does he
or she really think the price is too high, or is "no"
just a knee-jerk response? Customers rarely accept the first offer
in any situation-especially when it comes to price. Objections are
also a way to buy time; your prospect may just want to think for a
moment or hear about the product before making up his or her mind.
So follow these tips:

Hear the prospect out. Regardless of the objection, let
him or her finish before responding. Many novice salespeople hear
an objection and overreact. All they can see is a sale slipping
away, so they anxiously interrupt. This results not only in cutting
someone off but appearing as if you're dying for the sale.

When the customer finishes speaking, be empathetic.
First, show that you understand the concern then begin dealing with
the objection. If it's price, agree that while initially, it
may seem high, it's not when you consider how the product or
service saves time, cuts costs, helps expand their business and so
on. Don't sound like you're reading a script; mix the
figures and the anecdotes. Personalize it to the prospect's
business. Show clients you know their needs. As always, stress the
benefits.

See our tips on Monday, October 2, and Tuesday, October 3 for
parts 2 and 3 of this article.